'Clearly under the radar': Expert reveals hidden gem ASX share he's holding

One fund manager lets slip a stock about to go crazy that no one else knows about.

| More on:
A male broker wearing a dark blue suit and tie puts his finger to his lips to signal a secret tip about the Xero share price

Image source: Getty Images

You’re reading a free article with opinions that may differ from The Motley Fool’s Premium Investing Services. Become a Motley Fool member today to get instant access to our top analyst recommendations, in-depth research, investing resources, and more. Learn More

It's not often investors come across an ASX share that the analyst community doesn't have an opinion on.

So when you find a gem that no one else seems to have noticed, you run with it.

This is the situation Collins Street Asset Management chief investment officer Vasilios Piperoglou finds himself in.

"Astron Pty Ltd (ASX: ATR) is an interesting explorer and hopefully about to be producer," he told a Reach Markets video.

"It's interesting in so much as… it is clearly under the radar. Because no broker follows them yet."

'Tier-one asset in a tier-one jurisdiction'

Astron is a resources company that seeks to produce zircon and titanium from mineral sands mining activities.

The current focus is the Donald Mineral Sands Project in Victoria, which Piperoglou has high hopes for.

"They have a very large, I believe one of the world's largest, undeveloped zirconium and rare earth projects.

"It has a potential 50-year mine life. You could argue it's a tier-one asset in a tier-one jurisdiction."

He added that Astron has all its approvals in place, except for the final mine site permit, which he expects early in the new year.

The company bought $18 million of water rights for the site a couple of years back, which have since doubled in value, according to Piperoglou.

"It's ticked all the boxes, and they will be releasing their final DFS [definitive feasibility study] early next year."

Who knows what it will be worth in the future

Collins Street Asset Management gained exposure to Astron after recently issuing it with convertible notes.

Regardless of this or buying shares directly, Piperoglou reckons investors are in for a good time.

"The brokers have not cottoned onto the company… With these types of companies, it's very hard to put a valuation."

But how much upside does the Collins Street team think Astron shares have?

"What do we think Astron is worth on a per-share basis? I actually don't know," said Piperoglou.

"We haven't done a precisely specific NPV [net present value] ourselves. The reason being, we think it's at multiples to what it currently is."

The Astron share price has climbed 18.75% so far this year. 

The Hong Kong company is listed as a CHESS depositary interest, which means one ASX stock represents one actual share.

Motley Fool contributor Tony Yoo has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool Australia's parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool Australia has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

More on Resources Shares

Miner looking at his notes.
Resources Shares

Is the Pilbara Minerals share price set to make a stellar comeback in 2025?

Can this lithium miner recharge its share price?

Read more »

Three miners looking at a tablet.
Broker Notes

3 ASX mining shares just downgraded by top brokers (and one upgraded!)

Various brokers have just altered their ratings on these ASX mining shares.

Read more »

Female miner standing next to a haul truck in a large mining operation.
Resources Shares

What's the outlook for iron ore prices in 2025?

ASX mining shares are up after Chinese iron ore futures lifted to their highest level in more than a month…

Read more »

Miner looking at a tablet.
Resources Shares

Why Rio Tinto shares are my top ASX mining sector buy

Let’s dig into what makes Rio Tinto such an attractive miner to own.

Read more »

Two miners standing together.
Resources Shares

Are Fortescue shares set for a China-fuelled rally?

Let’s unearth whether the miner is an opportunity.

Read more »

Miner on his tablet next to a mine site.
Resources Shares

Should you buy BHP stock on a sell-off?

Is it time to dig into this huge ASX mining share?

Read more »

A person smashes a wall with a hammer, sending bricks flying.
Resources Shares

Why did the BHP share price get hammered again in November?

ASX 200 investors sent BHP shares tumbling in November. Let’s find out why.

Read more »

two men in hard hats and high visibility jackets look together at a laptop screen that one of the men in holding at a mine site.
Resources Shares

Is Fortescue stock a buy for its monstrous 10% dividend yield?

We should always be careful about a high dividend yield on a mining stock.

Read more »